5th Monday of Easter

 

“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit and calls Him, the Advocate.

The Holy Spirit helps us to turn away from sin and practice virtue and because He helps us, He is our advocate.

The Holy Spirit also guides us to the Truth. When we wonder what are the truths about God, His Church and religion, the Holy Spirit will enlighten us to understand the revealed and hidden meanings of God and helps us to proclaim and defend the truth.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love and so helps us to love God, by inspiring us to come to know and love Jesus more. The more we come to know God, the more we will love Him. The more we love God, the more we likewise will love our neighbor.

The Holy Spirit is our consoler, as He comes to comfort us during our sorrows of life and helps us to persevere and not lose hope, no matter the difficult situation.

The Holy Spirit is also our teacher. He teaches us to follow God’s commandments, and teaches us the way to salvation.

The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, so that we can cry out, “Abba Father”. By way of prayer, He leads us to the Father, who will provide for all our needs and fulfill our every desire. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will help us to contemplate the mysteries of God and come in contact with our creator.

The Holy Spirit works through the sacraments, so that we may receive grace to live out our lives. He inspires us to repent of our sins, and washes them away as one receives God’s forgiveness in Confession. He infuses grace into the soul at baptism, strengthens and makes firm the baptismal grace at confirmation, so that we may become witnessed for Christ. He transforms us, when we receive Holy Communion. He unites couples in their bond of marriage. He anoints the sick to heal their bodies and prepares their soul for death. And the Holy Spirit ordains men to help others to come in contact with the mysteries of God.

Today, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, to enkindle in our hearts the fire of His Divine Love, that He may create a new heart within us, give us a steadfast spirit, so that we may be sent forth to renew the face of the earth.